Alex - I can understand why you'd be fed up with the hype in relation to Djokovic. But I can also understand the hype.

I much prefer justified hype to idiotic gushing, and to me, the hype surrounding Djokovic is justified. Who else deserves it? With Federer inconsistent & increasingly vulnerable in the face of a determined opponent with a decent game, and Murray still not as confident as he needs to be, Djokovic is by far & away the most likely contender for the title, and the most likely beneficiary of the hype - especially with this draw.

Of course anything could happen, but the predictions about Djokovic's likely chances are both realistic and in accordance with his position as the best player in the world. In this regard, perhaps it is more a case of the media / commentators stating the obvious, than it being hype.

And actually I can't see that a fan's acknowledgment of him as the favourite for the title is tantamount to worshipping him.

But on a good day, I agree with Sid that any one of the top 3 could win the title here.

I wonder if Del Potro has any ideas of surprising the pundits? I can't see Berdych or Ferrer doing it.

One of the top 3 will win here,but if anyone came out of the pack i'd say Potty.There's a big but when i say this as Marin Cilic will most likey play him,when these 2 meet in slams it's always 5 setters.The courts won't be as quick,we've had the hottest day.When i think of this i can't see Potty winning here,USO,i think is better for him.To win here it will be the tennis players who play less sets,we will find out more as the draw opens up,on the bottom half.

Not sure what to make out of DP any more. great serve, great ground strokes, great FH ... yet when he meet guys who are fitter/faster than him he stumbles. he can't outrun either Novak or Murray and that's his big problem. Fed can outhit him easily because he simply so good at everything. yeah, I know 2009 at the USO he had that amazing run but he's done nothing after that run. he was injured and it took time to heal but psychically he is OK today.

what both Djokovic and Murray are good at is to make you move to left and right and left and right, driving you crazy ... before you lose your mind and get like dead tired. DP is just not fit enough to keep up with them. DP has never won any masters in his life.

Novak, Murray and Fed definitely look like front runners ... and I'm saying this based on how they played first couple of rounds but it's still early to say what's going to happen.

I'm happy to see Novak being so aggressive again. I haven't seen him playing like that for a long time. but it was against Harrison who looked like a school boy in that match.

An hour and a half of nerve racking tennis but Almagro prevails 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.

This was my first look at Janowicz. His weaknesses are pretty glaring: ROS (he never broke Nico), BH, endurance, footwork, and consistency. He could not stay in rallies long before hitting the ball into the net and often found himself tied up in knots because his footwork was so bad. It seemed like he panicked in rallies and just tried to get the point over with because Nico was picking on his BH. Overall, someone whose game is ideally suited for indoor tennis. I can't see this guy doing well on slower courts.

Babblelot - I was pleased to see Almagro get through. I've nothing against JJ, but it's nice to see NA get deeper in this event. And Tipsarevic's penchant for 5 setters continues, I see! Impressive effort for him to get past troublesome opponents & to stay focused & committed enough to get the win. Will he have anything left for his next match?? Good job by Nishikori too. I note that on this side of the draw, he's the only young "hopeful" left. For some peculiar reason, I don't take much interest in Anderson, yet he too has survived. Djokovic sails majestically onwards, the entertaining Stepanek meeting the end of his road as expected.

On the given proviso that "anything could happen" I'm expecting Murray & Federer to get through in straight sets. Berankis can play well, but this match up is unlikely to give AM any strife. In the Tomic / Federer match, BT can play excellent tennis, but I'm hoping Federer wants to get further & will bring his required level of play with him when he plays this match. Similarly, Del Potro ought to get past Chardy. The Simon / Mon Fils match could be well contested & I'm looking forward to the Raonic / Kohlshreiber contest. If PK's game is on, he could take out MR. Cilic / Seppi could be interesting too. I'd like Cilic to come through -Seppi is a work horse but inconsistent & I'm not a fan of his game, whereas I like the attacking game of MC. As for Dodig / Gasquet, I'd like to see RG through. I hope he doesn't implode.

I can hopefully watch some tennis live this weekend - "real" life permitting!

A couple of good matches to wake up early for. It will be interesting just to see Tomic but he won't be there for long unless Fed has a really bad evening. He'll have the support of the undiscriminating crowd . Unfortunately, you have to be there to appreciate that. Simon/Monfils will be good. Simon is usually very steady: like a backboard, as someone said, while Monfils can be awfully flaky, especially at critical points of the game . But he is a lot of fun to watch .

You can never take anything for granted. I hope Roger comes out and pays a great match and win tonight. I don't like Tomic so I hope he doesn't even win a set!! But I just really want a win by any means! Go Roger!!!!